Legal basis and use of military token
SteFab
Posts: 19 ✭
Hello everyone,
I'm writing an article for an italian numismatic magazine. The object of my article are two tokens. The first one was used in the WHEELUS AIR BASE (Libya) in the N.C.O. CLUB. The second one, without value indication, was used in the TAN SON NHUT AIR BASE (Viet-Nam) in the USARV N.C.O. OPEN MESS.
I don't think they have a great economic value but they are certainly a small piece of history and in any case represent an unusual monetary genre in Italy (the only examples of military tokens ... I think they are those in use in US bases located in Italy).
Precisely for this reason, the most interesting aspect to understand and illustrate in the article is how these tokens originated, what their use is and who authorizes their production.
Unfortunately I find it difficult to find this information (also because of language problems).
The oldest historical reference I found is that of 25 July 1895, in which the War Department issued the General Orders No. 46, directing commanders to every post to establish a post exchange "wherever practicable." Post exchanges served two missions: first, "to supply the reasonable price with the articles of ordinary use, wear, and consumption, not supplied by the Government, to provide a means of rational recreation and amusement," and second, "provide the means for improving the messes" through exchange profits.
During the mobilization efforts leading up to World War II, the War Department increasingly looked for ways to upgrade its antiquated post exchange system. After completing a review of existing exchanges, Lt. Col. J. Edwin Grose concluded that the Army would need to "become the operator of an extensive chain store system with world wide branches" to sufficiently meet the demands of a large-scale war effort. In April 1941, an advisory committee of five prominent retail executives affirmed this notion, recommending the creation of a central organization to oversee exchange operations. On 6 June 1941, the Army Exchange Service (AES) was created. On 26 July 1948, AES was renamed the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, to reflect AES' responsibility to serve the Air Force, which was created in 1947.
The sources relating to "post exchange" do not deal with tokens but I imagine that the use of military tokens is a consequence of this order (in reality, for sale on e-bay I found tokens made just for the post exchange of some strong but it is not clear to me if in them only these tokens were used or even the currency regularly in use) even if I do not found nothing to confirm it.
I also found that § 491 of the Title 18 of the United States Code, entitled "Crimes and Criminal Procedures", establishes that "it is not legally authorized, makes, issues, passes any coin, card, token, or device in metal, or its compounds, which may be intended to be used as money for any 1-cent, 2-cent, 3-cent, or 5-cent piece, authorized by law, or coins of equal value, shall be fined not more than $ 1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both ". I therefore believe that an authorization is needed to produce tokens or pogs.
For this reason I am looking for documents that indicate the authorization to produce tokens at least for the bases on American soil where otherwise the law of the United States Code would be violated. I imagine and I also look for the provevdimenti that have the creation of these tokens for the overseas bases.
In document AR 215-8 / AFI 34-211 (I) of 30 July 2008, of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Operations, at point 7.7 on page 23 I found that the use of tokens is meant for "contingency operations where host countries restrict the use of US coinage or U.S. coinage is not readily available " http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdo...1&type=pdf).
Furthermore, I found the explanation that, in recent years, POGS in paper have been used to reduce the weight of the material to be transposed (https://www.stripes.com/news/aafes-...de-1.72905).
In this regard I would like to understand if for these reasons the pogs of paper and / or plastic have supplanted the use of metal tokens or if they are still in use.
As I said, in particular, my study is focused on a token used in Vietnam in the Air Base of TAN SON NHUT - USARV, expendable in the NCO OPEN MESS, in the period 1955-1975 and another token used in Libya in the Wheelus Air Base, at the NCO CLUB in the period 1945-1970.
Mostly with regard to these two tokens, I would like to know if with the material at your disposal, you are able to provide me with a copy of the authorization that allowed the use of these tokens.
In other words, I am trying to get a copy of the legal bases that allow the circulation of tokens in US Army, Navy and Aviation bases and airports and to explain exactly the function of these tokens (IE: They are expendable as currency or are there discounts to get discounts? What are the restrictions on their use? Etc. .).
I would also be grateful if you could provide me with guidance on some text (to buy or download) that illustrates the history of US military tokens. I have already bought the book "The Official Red Book A Guide Book of United States Tokens and Medals" by Katherine Jaeger, which however does not provide these indications, and the catalog "Military Tokens of the United States 1866-1978" by James J. Curto , which however is a mere catalog and does not deal with these aspects.
Grateful for the attention, I apologize for the inconvenience and if I was unclear because of my poor knowledge of English.
Grateful for your attention, I apologize if I disturbed you.
Best regards.
Stefano Fabrizio
Comments
@SteFab .... Welcome aboard.... I cannot help you with your research, but I will mention that caution should be taken to not confuse challenge coins with military tokens....Cheers, RickO
Yes, welcome. In the western United States during the time that there were military forts, for safety of settlers, if was easier to issue script instead of coin. Interesting and I never have seen tokens used at military bases that I frequented in Europe during the VietNam war.
bob
Welcome Stefano.
It may be worth checking out Paul Cunningham's military tokens reference:
There's a great thread on these tokens here:
@DCW has an interest in these tokens along with the Cunningham reference so perhaps he'll chime in.
Thanks to everyone who responded and ... to those who will. However, every indication and suggestion is useful to me.
If I understood Ricko's warning well, I must be careful not to confuse "challenge coins" with "military tokens". If I have understood correctly, the "challenge coins" are "medallion, bearing an organization's insignia or emblem and carried by the organization's members. Traditionally, they would be given to proof of membership even if they have no monetary value". The "military tokens" (and in modern times the "POGS"), on the contrary, are used as substitutes for money in military bases. Obviously, both can be collected.
In AUandAG's post I didn't understand if he didn't see the use of military token in overseas bases or if this use was infrequent and he never actually saw them in use while serving as a military (actually I always wondered what they served so limited mortality tokens: 1, 5, 10 cent that even within military canteens and clubs can hardly be enough to buy a good).
In any case, to be sure not to generate confusion, I enclose the photos of the two tokens in my possession.
Hello everybody.
@SteFab Not sure why your images aren't fully displaying, but here they are:
WHEELUS AIR BASE (Libya)
TAN SON NHUT AIR BASE (Vietnam)
I have no idea why the images aren't fully displaying and thanks for solving the problem. Those are the two tokens from which my idea of historical research started
Dear Dennis,
I thank you for your time.
I really appreciated your explanation.
It does not solve my problems but it helps me to have a clearer view of the use of tokens in the military sphere. You gave me a confirmation to a series of things I had guessed and opens the door for further investigation.
Thanks again and I hope for a day to be able to reciprocate.
Stefano
Ill copy my PM here in case anyone is interested:
These tokens were used as a way of making change overseas for use in the post exchanges. The forerunner to the PX was the Sutler who traveled with units during the Civil War to provide amenities. They would extend credit, collect monies directly from the paymaster if the soldier was in debt, and issue tokens as change redeemable only with them. All of those tokens are pretty rare.
While I do not have specific info on any of your tokens I would imagine the NCO Open mess was used in exchange for a meal for the "non commisioned officers," which is Army code for Corporal through the rank of Sergeant Major. Some of these NCO club tokens were probably issued in exchange for a refreshment of sorts, perhaps a soda or a beer.
Regarding POGS, I have first hand knowledge. When I was in Iraq, the PX began issuing these for the first time. That was 2003, and it was perplexing at the time. You would go to the PX, which was nothing more than a tent with some snacks, refreshments, stationary, pay with cash and you would receive change in dollar bills. Anything below a dollar you would get those cardboard discs called POGS for 5, 10, 25, 50c. This was to eliminate the need for the US government to export coins, which soldiers would lose anyway.
Furthermore, in Vietnam the army forward operating bases would issue military payment certificates (MPC) which would be the only legal currency. You could be court martialed for having US dollars. This was because of the huge black market for drugs, prostitution, and other contraband. My father told me he remembered the Vietnamese lined up outside the base trying to get the soldiers to exchange their soon to be outdated MPCs when the government suddenly decided to issue a new series, making the old series worthless. They did that from time to time as a countermeasure against the black market.
I don't have any documentation or paperwork concerning the legality of issuing tokens, but surely somewhere it exists.
Military tokens are a vast area, loaded with research opportunity and endless acquisitions. Most can be had fairly cheaply, offering the chance to put together a great collection of history for a fraction of the cost of collecting US coins.
Good luck
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I know so little about these that I hesitate to comment, but here are a few snippets....
I believe that many if not most such tokens were actually private issues. As I understand it, modern day "pogs" are issued by the contractor who does the food/PX.
During WWII my grandfather commanded a hospital train and they issued little paper coupons themselves for use in the officers lounge.
It might be (not sure) that for legal purposes, military tokens are actually considered to be coupons. In other words, you can't use them just anywhere. That might help them avoid the statutes regarding issuing private money. Also, and I might be wrong, but the US miilitary has the Uniform Code of Military Justice to guide many legal issues, so that might be a factor as well.
Thanks for the suggestions and in particular for the advice to go and look in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. I hope to find it online.
I would also send a letter or email (as long as it goes to an authoritative source and not some public comments or questions desk) to the US Secret Service which handles counterfeit money, and also the US military itself to ask how they view these tokens.
UCMJ
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/subtitle-A/part-II/chapter-47
I have already tried to ask the "Air Force Historical Research Agency" if they had documentation that could help me in my research. They were very kind but nothing came out. I will also try to follow this your advice. The problem is that I do not know neither the hierarchies nor the organization of the American military so, to me, it is not easy to identify a military authoritative source.
@SteFab
You may need to do a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Information on how to do it is here.
https://www.foia.gov/
I definitely understand your challenges in trying to deal with the bureaucracy. If it were me I would write a letter to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is the top military person. If you are lucky his office will kick it down the line to someone who might be compelled to do the research. It might be a longshot but that approach has worked for me once or twice.
It seems like @SteFab might be Italian, so I had to look it up - can a non-US citizen make a FOIA request? - and to my surprise, the answer is "yes". "Generally any person - United States citizen or not - can make a FOIA request." from the FOIA FAQ.
Interesting!
If my memory serves me correctly, the Nam token was provided to non-military persons for some chow. In uniform GIs just got in line for chow. Mess halls did not do cash in nam. Peace Roy
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I thank everyone for the patience you are showing to me and for the valuable suggestions. I will try to follow them all. I just hope that by bothering the US Secret Service and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ... I will not end up in Guantanamo!Visiting Cuba has always been a dream of mine, but not in this way (you will forgive the joke of one who has served his Country as GJ).
When I started my research ... I didn't think "I would have raised all this dust". Thanks again and I promise to keep you informed of the results (and, of course, to still use your help if, indeed, when, I will have difficulty).
I donot remember those tokens?
I spent some time in the NCO club in Libya.
Along with some money.
Saw one of the funnies skits ever there!
Just to add to it was really hot there!
Script was common to replace coins, again, they were heavy and just a problem overseas.
MPC and overstamped US Currency (Hawaii, North Africa, etc. ) were used to combat theft, black marketing,and in the case of some (Hawaii), if the island fell to the Japanese, all the US currency would just be voided with the Hawaii stamp.
Ditto on the MPC and surprise new revision. My dad was in Italy after release from POW camp. One of the soldiers "liberated" a barge of wheat and sold it on the black market. Shortly thereafter, a change was announced in the MPC, so it was all going to be voided. He walked through the barracks throwing money out of a duffle bag. Each soldier was allowed a certain amount of money to exchange. Anything over that was voided.
My son brought back a stack of the pogs from Iraq.
Both NM & Libya used MPC
Dear Pat,
Thank you for your direct testimony. I would like to take advantage and ask you three things.
First, have you old photos of the period you were in Libya and, in particular, images taken inside the NCO Club? If yes, could you send me a copy?
Second question ... what do you mean by "MPC"? Sorry but I don't know the meaning of many acronyms that are often used in America, especially in the military sphere.
Finally, when you say "Along with some money", do you mean that in your experience you were using the current Dollars and not the tokens? If so, given that the base, previously called Mellaha (used first by the Italians and then by the Luftwaffe), has been under American control since January 1943 (it was used by the 376th Bombardment Group of the 12th Air Force for B -24), could it be that the token dates back to the period of WW II or the one immediately following it?
Best regards
I correct myself. More precisely, the token is certainly after 1945. Indeed, Mellaha was renamed Wheelus Army Air Field (AAF) on 17 May 1945 in honor of USAAF Lieutenant Richard Wheelus who had died earlier that year in a plane crash in Iran.
MPC are Military Payment Certificates. Search for "MPC" on eBay and you'll get a bunch of results.
Here's one I found there:
Dear Namvet69,
Your information on the use of military tokens in Viet Nam is very interesting.
When you say "non-military persons" you mean that these tokens were used by American civilian personnel (CIA?) to access the mess or rather that their use was also extended to Vietnamese civilians working in the base (were there?), Both without uniforms. Or was the token also used by the military personnel of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) who was stationed on that base?
I hope I have formulated the questions clearly and I thank you anyway for your attention.
Best regards
I want to thank @Hemispherical and @kbbpll for their "legal support".
But, if I need to do a "FOIA request", what is the right Agency to address to obtain a copy (or indication) of the documents/provisions that authorize/order, and possibly regulate, the production of military tokens? The Treasury, the FED, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or something else?
If I had to do such research in Italy, I would write at the same time to everyone, hoping that at least one would be kind enough to answer. However, I do not believe it is the proper approach to follow by addressing such important institutional positions. What do you advise me?
I also imagine that there is a central state archive or that the Congress library can have this kind of information. In your opinion, is it possible to make a request by e-mail or, to do a search, is it necessary to show up in person?
I thank you for your precious help.
Best regards
https://www.foia.gov/how-to.html
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
OK, I have taken my own advice and I have drafted letters to the CS , the Secret Service, and three military historical societies. I have also written one to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service. I do not expect to get replies from most of these, but if I hear back I will post it here.
In regard to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service: it has a civilian CEO but is part of the Department of Defense. The AAFES issued the pogs used in the Middle East (US bases). You might have your best chance at getting an idea of the legal situation from them, as they are still issuing military tokens. That may not answer for the historic tokens, but it is a start.
Dear @JBK
I don't know how to thank you, regardless of the results of the answers. You are a fantastic person. If you ever need help with Italian coins (something also about Roman and Greek coins), I will be happy to reciprocate. In any case, I would be honored if you told me your name (even in private, if you prefer) so that I can thank you in the publication that I hope to do (I will make the same request to the other people who helped me). Given the difficulty of the language and to understand exactly who the interlocutors are to be addressed, I would never have been able to write these letters myself (by the way, what do you mean by "CS"?).
Dear @BStrauss3
I took a first look at the link you provided to me. In addition to advice on how to prepare a request under the FOIA, I saw that there is a list of Federal Agencies to which the request can be addressed. This solves my problem of having the exact name of the agency but not that of knowing which agency is responsible for the documents I seek. However, it is a great starting point. Thank you
Stefan
I have no photos of the club
Paid for drinks with MPC
I think the NCO club was the nicest building on the base!
I left that base and went to England
Dear @PTVETTER
Was this the Club you are talking about?
I think it was remodel since that photo
Indeed ... it's like it was in 1959!
Yes, look at the cars!
I think the auto-draft function swallowed some text. I meant, the Chairman of the JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff).
My guess is that the majority of my letters will go unanswered, but if the question raises someone's interest they may put some thought into it and reply.
I'll drop you a PM in the coming days once I get the letters mailed.
You raised a very interesting and valid question. Are the tokens legal, or are they overlooked because of their usage in the military?
When you've been there? I assume before June 1970
If you want information on Vietnam era tokens, the person you want to contact is Master Sergeant Ray Bows, US Army, Retired. IIRC his first small red paperback catalog of U.S. military tokens used during the Vietnam conflict included authorization details for the tokens. Most were sized to 5c-10c-25c and the vast majority were used in slot machines in the unit clubs. (My copy of that red catalog is stored away who knows where). Ray and the late John Shillinglaw gathered much of the known information on Vietnam tokens and their work forms the base of the Vietnam section of the Cunningham catalog.
I last spoke with Ray and his wonderful wife Pia at the FUN Show two years ago. Ray has written several books on Vietnam and can probably be contacted through this web site: [https://bowsmilitarybooks.com/about.html] -- he is a good person, military or non-.
I think this may be a little bit quicker and cleaner than the FOIA requests or cornering one of the Joint Chiefs...
Fixed the link:
https://www.bowsmilitarybooks.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
https://www.bowsmilitarybooks.com/contact.html
Edit to add:
US and Allied Military Tokens of Vietnam 1962 - 1973
https://www.bowsmilitarybooks.com/previous-books.html
I hope the OP does contact that person as he sounds like he has a wealth of information, but remember, the OP is not just looking for information about tokens - he is looking to identify the legal basis for their issuance. I expect that most experts on military tokens were not concerned with that aspect.
On a side note, I Googled the modern pogs from Iraq/Afghanistan to see some photos, and at least some of them had the words "gift certificate" underneath the denomination. That would explain the legal basis for those particular tokens.
Dear @tokenpro and @Hemispherical
Thanks for your advice.
Some time ago, I read about the small red paperback catalog of U.S. military tokens used during the Vietnam by Master Sergeant Ray Bows in the review of the book "United States Tokens and Medals" by Katherine Jaeger. Unfortunately in Italy I could not find any copy of the red book "U. S. And Allied Military Tokens of Vietnam, 1962-1973".
I had tried to contact the Master Sergeant at this email address namlore@dreamcom.net (found on the internet) but without an answer. Now, as you suggested, I proceeded to resend my message via the link https://www.bowsmilitarybooks.com/contact.html
Dear @JBK
If I have well interpreted what you wrote about POGS, you mean that if it is a "gift certificate", it is not to be considered as money and therefore can be freely issued, indeed distributed, without incurring prohibitions. Preatically as it happens for the discount coupons of products sold in supermarkets.
Obviously the difference between a "5 Cents voucher" (money) and a "gift certificate for anything purchased, of the 5 Cents valkore" (gift), seems closer to a sleight of hand than to a really substantial difference....
Sorry - I should have expanded a bit on my reference.
Here in the US, gift certificates (or cards, and very rarely but also seen are coins) are sold by a business (retail store, restaurant, etc .) and they allow the purchaser (or whoever received it as a gift from them) to spend a specified amount of value at that business.
They are very common in the US, and I know they have them to some degree in Germany (gutscheine).
I am certain that the "pogs" that have "gift certificate" printed on them escape any legal scrutiny due to that. But, many pogs and certainly no older tokens have that, so there is still the open question.
I agree that it all gets cloudy - a token good for 5 cents at a specific NCO club is clearly not valid anywhere else. It seems to have a similar practical application as a "gift certificate". The limited usage (to one place) may be what makes military tokens legal - we will have to see if we get some answers in the mail.
Dear @JBK
Thanks for the further explanation. What I understand is that ... I embarked on a road with many intersections and many curves .... but the difficult challenges are the most interesting.
In any case, I am learning interesting things, but, if in the end, I will reach the goal, it will be only thanks to those who, like you, are helping me generously.
Best regards
I got my first reply today, from a US Army historical organization.
I will have to read it in more detail, but the summary addressed the pogs issues and they mentioned the "gift certificate" angle as discussed above as the basis for their issue, i.e. - the pogs are not presented as "legal tender" that are valid anywhere, but rather are gift certificates with a limited validity.
DCW About covered it. Even in Afghanistan in 2003 we had the cardboard pogs as change with different images on them. I think I still have some in boxes. Prior they used the payment certificates. even other countries do this. I have some that the British army used overseas in recent years I will see if I can find some pictures for you.
Chris
I found a few for you but I couldn't find pogs.
Nice pics of MPCs, but if you read the OP's post, he is looking for the legal basis for their issuance.